Dean, Faculty of Public and Global Affairs

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OPEN COMPETITION

Carleton University is seeking an accomplished scholar, strategic leader and community builder to serve as its next Dean, Faculty of Public and Global Affairs.

The University

Located in Ottawa on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution dedicated to excellence in scholarship, innovation, and societal impact. Home to more than 31,000 students and over 5,400 faculty and staff, Carleton fosters a caring, inclusive, and connected community where people are empowered to challenge convention, advance knowledge, and create meaningful change. Carleton’s location is integral to its identity and its possibilities. Situated beside the Rideau Canal and Rideau River and minutes from downtown Ottawa, the University is part of one of Canada’s most consequential urban environments: the national capital, a centre for public policy and diplomacy, technology and innovation, national cultural institutions, media, community organizations and a diverse network of public, private and not-for-profit partners.

Guided by a vision of Inclusive Impact and Prominence, Together, Carleton is committed to being a leader in higher education and a catalyst for positive social, economic, and cultural impact. The university strives to create an environment in which all members of its community can thrive, contribute, and belong, while advancing research, teaching, and engagement that address the complex challenges facing Canada and the world.

The Faculty

The Faculty of Public and Global Affairs (FPGA) is Canada's only faculty dedicated exclusively to the study of public and global affairs. With more than 200 faculty members, 60 staff, and over 8,000 students across eleven academic units, FPGA is recognized for its innovative programs, research excellence, and commitment to addressing the complex public challenges facing Canada and the world. The Faculty leverages strong relationships with governments, international institutions, community organizations, and industry partners to advance research, learning, and public impact. Its globally recognized scholarship, interdisciplinary approach, and outward-facing culture make FPGA one of Carleton's most distinctive and influential academic communities. FPGA occupies a unique place within the University and the broader higher education landscape. Bringing together disciplines that examine public policy, governance, economics, communication, international issues, journalism, law, politics, philanthropy, community care, and social change, the Faculty is united by a commitment to understanding and addressing complex societal challenges. The Faculty's next chapter presents an opportunity to strengthen connections across its academic communities while building on the rich histories, traditions, and public contributions of its schools, departments, and programs.

Why Join Carleton?

This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of Canada’s leading universities by empowering people and supporting culture evolution. Carleton offers a supportive, collegial work environment, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a lasting impact in an institution that values innovation, compassion, and community.

The Ideal Candidate

You are an accomplished scholar and academic leader who combines intellectual credibility with outstanding strategic, financial, and interpersonal capabilities. You are known for approaching problems constructively and with creativity. You build trust, listen carefully, navigate complexity, and bring people together around shared objectives. You value consultation and relationship-building and are comfortable engaging with diverse perspectives in a large and multifaceted academic environment.

You understand the importance of balancing research excellence, student success, financial sustainability, and community impact. You bring the judgment and leadership required to lead a complex faculty through change while preserving and strengthening its distinctive culture and strengths.

Job Number: J1126-0022

Job Title: Dean, Faculty of Public and Global Affairs

Job Type: Continuing Full Time

Department: Office of the Dean of Public and Global Affairs

Job Category: Academic Executive

Number of Positions: 1

Salary (with Salary Rate): 0.00 - 0.00/Year

Employee Group: Academic Executive

Salary Level: Academic Executive

Hours Per Week: 35

Date Position Available: 01/07/2027

Duties And Responsibilities

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Dean is the chief academic and administrative leader of the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs and a member of Carleton University’s senior leadership team. The Dean provides strategic leadership to advance the Faculty’s academic, research, financial, and external engagement priorities while fostering a collegial and engaged academic culture. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, community partners, and university leaders, the Dean will bring the strategic insight and leadership necessary to strengthen enrolment, support financial sustainability, enhance the student experience, foster innovative research, and position FPGA for continued relevance and impact while preserving the collegial and scholarly values that define the Faculty. The challenges facing the modern university present a unique opportunity for inspired strategic leadership. The Dean will need to bring an innovative and entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the Faculty's existing strengths in teaching, research, and community engagement to strengthen and advance Carleton University's reputation as a leading institution for policy innovation and academic excellence. They must foster connections across the Faculty's diverse units, drawing on these relationships and a commitment to consultation, open communication, and transparent decision-making. Through this collaborative approach, they will build a shared vision of excellence and cultivate broad consensus around the Faculty's future direction. The Faculty values thoughtful consultation, open communication, and collaborative decision making. The successful candidate will be a visible and trusted leader who builds consensus around shared goals and inspires confidence through transparency, authenticity, and engagement.

Qualifications

The incumbent must possess the following qualifications:

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate a clear vision and shared identity for a diverse and interdisciplinary academic community.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and political acuity, and sound financial and operational judgment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities, build partnerships, and secure alternative funding sources.
• Skilled relationship-builder who fosters trust, collaboration, and a strong sense of community across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Commitment to student success, academic excellence, and community engagement.
• Inclusive leader who inspires confidence, trust, and shared purpose.
  
  

Education And Experience

The above is normally acquired through the completion of:

• A PhD and a distinguished record of scholarship and teaching with the qualifications required for appointment as a tenured Full Professor within one of FPGA's academic disciplines.
• A demonstrated record of successful academic leadership within an academic institution, including strategic planning, change leadership, and resource management.
• A sound understanding of and commitment to research excellence, graduate education, and scholarly impact.
• Demonstrated decision-making that contributed to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, reconciliation and belonging.
• Demonstrated success supporting enrolment growth, academic program renewal, and enhance student recruitment, retention, and success.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing complex budgets within post-secondary or similar public sector environments.
• Experience fostering collaboration across diverse academic units and building consensus in collegial governance environments through trust-building, engagement and transparent communication.
• An extensive network of relationships and an ability to engage effectively with governments, community organizations, research partners, alumni, donors, and other external partners.
• International experience and a global perspective that aligns with the Faculty's mandate and aspirations is desired.
• Experience outside academia such as work in government, politics, private sector, etc. is considered an asset.
  
  

HR Note

To Apply

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on November 15, 2026.

Support and accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities, upon request. Applicants in need of an accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process can contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or identify their needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.

KBRS does not use artificial intelligence to review applications or screen candidates. This is a current vacancy at the institution.

Candidates interested in this opportunity should contact Abbey MacLeod at amacleod@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca, or submit your full application package on the KBRS website.

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

Health and Safety Requirements

This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.

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